Expansion tank



Oct. 22, 1929. DAWSON 1,732,505

EXPANS ION TANK Filed May 31, 1923 E. flan/sow Patented Oct. 22, 1929 PATENT OFFICE EDMUND DAWSON, OF BEAVER TOWNSHIP, MAI-ZONING COUNTY, OHIO EXPANSION TANK Application filed May 31, 1928.

This invention relates to hot water heating systems and has special reference to the expansion tank. In many hot water heating systems as now installed the water for filling the system is fed thereinto through an opening in the top of the expansion tank and this arrangement is objectionable for the reason that when the water in the circulating system becomes highly heated steam is apt to form and escape from the expansion tank through the filling opening so that the heat therein is wasted and an uneconomical consumption of fuel is necessitated besides being apt to fill the attic or other room in which the expansion tank is located with the escaping steam to the annoyance of the tenants and damage to the building and contents of the room or attic. My invention provides a very simple means whereby this objection is overcome. The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing and will be hereinafter fully set forth and particularly defined.

In the accompanying drawing, there is shown a diagrammatic sectional elevation of a hot water heating system having my invention embodied therein.

In the drawing, the reference numeral 1 indicates a furnace, 2 designates a radiator of which one or more may be provided and so which are located at various points in the building in the usual manner. 3 indicates a return pipe through which the chilled water is returned from the radiator to the boiler or drum of the'furnace, and 4 indicates a pipe leading the hot water from the furnace to the expansion tank 5, while 6 indicates a circulating pipe extending from the expansion tank into the radiators. According to my invention, the tank 5 is closed throughout its sides, top and bottom, except for an opening in one end near the bottom thereof. lhrough said opening, a coupling sleeve 7 is fitted, and this coupling sleeve constitutes one means for securing to the end of the tank a reservoir or open top pan 8, the pan or reservoir being additionally secured to the tank by bolts, indicated at 9, located at proper points through the abutting Walls of the tank and the reservoir. I also provide an over- 59 flow pipe 10 which is coupled through the Serial No. 281,998.

abutting walls of the tank and the reservoir at or near the tops thereof and upon that end of this pipe which is located within the reservoir is fitted a down-turned elbow 11 which carries a pipe 12 extending downwardly within the reservoir to a point near thebottom of the same, as clearly shown.

In the use of the apparatus, the water for filling the system and to be utilized as the house heating medium is poured into the reservoir and will at once flow through the coupling sleeve into the tank and thence into and through the several pipes and radiators of the system so as to fill all of the radiators and pipes as well as the boiler compartment of the furnace. In the drawing, I have shown the water in such a quantity that the level thereof is near the top of the tank and the open top of the reservoir but this level may be higher or lower as experience in the use 7 of aparticular system may-show to be most desirable. When the system is in operation, the water, of course, is heated and will rise through the pipe 4 into the tank and thence flow through the pipe 6 and the several ra- 7 diators, giving off heat in its circulation and eventually returning to the furnace through the pipe 3 to be again heated. With the systems as ordinarily constructed, steam is very apt to form in the system and will rise through the water to the top of the tank and escape therefrom. it-h the present arrangement, this steam cannot escape directly from the tank but finds its outlet through the pipe 10 and the parts connected therewith so that it is directed downwardly within the water in the reservoir and will escape into the same near the bottom thereof. The result is that the steam is condensed and when it condenses the heat given off will serve to raise the temperature of the water in the reservoir and also of the water which passes from the tank into the heating system. Consequently, a lower fire than is otherwise possible may be successfully used to maintain a comfortable temperature in the building. Of course, as the steam is condensed in the water in the reservoir, it does not escape into the building and the annoyance due to this happening is effectually eliminated.

The structure is exceedingly simple and inexpensive and may be applied to existing systems at a very low cost which will be more than saved by the decrease in the quantity of fuel Which is consumed to heat the building.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

In a hot Water heating system including an expansion tank, the combination with the tank, of an open top reservoir set against an end of the tank, a coupling sleeve fitted through and connecting the abutting walls of the tank and the reservoir and establishing communication between the tank and the reservoir at the bottom thereof, and an overfioW pipe having one end secured through the abutting Walls of the tank and the reservoir near the top thereof and having a down-turned discharge branch leading to a point near the bottom of the reservoir.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

EDMUND DAWSON. a 8. 

